Backdating Frony Bumper?

[seventythree]

I am backdating the front bumper on my 73 to a pre-73 bumper without the bumperettes.
Somehow the early bumper appears not to mount as close to the front bulkhead leaving a 3/8" gap between the front of the hood and the rubber bumper top.
Unfortunately, I no longer have the original bumper to compare. Are there differences between the early and late bumpers other than the tits?

Any help will be appreciated.

TIA

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

There should not be any other differences. Sounds like either the new bumper is tweaked, or the old one was tweaked to match a tweaked front panel.

--DD

[Joe Ricard]

Trim the dog bones thinner to get the bumper closer to the front hood / fenders.

Trim too much and you are screwed.

[seventythree]

Update:
I mounted the bumper and once the mounting bolts were torqued, the bumper positioned much closer than initially thought.

However, I was contemplating the idea of trimming the dog bones. I wasn't sure how hard that would be? I imagine they need to be cut as opposed to a lapping action using very coarse sand paper on a flat surface.

Also, if the steel sleeves in the bolt holes control the spacing, they must be trimmed as well. Correct?

Thanks for all input.

[TheCabinetmaker]

a belt sander would make quick work of the rubber and metal inserts. If you have a belt sander that would be one way to trim them in an effective way. Hold the part carefuly and you should be able to get a nice flat surface on it. Make sure the removal is even across the surface, else the bumper will be tilted!

excellent suggestion to trim the dog bones by the way.